Obituary
William Irwin “Ding” MacDonald
It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that the family of William “Ding” MacDonald announce his peaceful passing on June 29, 2022, at 87 years of age.
Born on May 17, 1935, in Florence, Cape Breton, William was the son of the late Harry and Elizabeth (Barrie) MacDonald. He was a devoted husband to the love of his life of 61 years, Edna (Keeling), loving father of Gerard (Debbie), Shawn (Kim), Brian (Laura Leah), Geralyn (Grant), Heather (George), Scott (Amy), Charmaine (Cheryl), proud grandfather of Dianna (Steven), Shirley Ann (Ryan), Jocelyn (Aidan), Jenna (Shamus), Joseph (Jessica), Kyle (Emma), Alex, Morgan, Brenna, Ryan, Will, Carly, Aiden, Paysley and great-grandfather of Isaac, Arabella and Georgie Rose.
William is survived by his older brothers, Cecil (Selina) and Conrad (Rosella), sisters-in-law, Helen (Ralph) McKinnon, Ann Marie MacCormick, Heather MacDonald, brother-in-law, Patrick Keeling, and many nieces and nephews who adored their Uncle Buddy.
He was predeceased by his parents, Harry and Elizabeth, siblings Billy, David, Fred, Muriel, Joseph, Barbara, Barrie, Harold, Helena, Vivian, Edward, Viola, Mary, Carol, Frank, Anne, and granddaughter Kelsey.
For 42 years, William worked for DEVCO as a proud coal miner and draegermen before ending his career as a supervisor. He was a founding member of the Florence Volunteer Fire Department, where he volunteered for 35 years, and was a faithful member of the Catholic Church. He loved and played many sports, spent years coaching baseball, and in his retirement, he developed a passion for golf. William’s commitment to his community was recognized in the fall of 2020 when the Florence Volunteer Fire Department unveiled the William “Ding” MacDonald Tanker 22 fire truck in his honour, an incredible legacy that will live on in the community he served. Despite his health challenges, his strength and determination allowed him to live a beautiful and fulfilled life with his family and special life-long friends. He will forever be remembered for his great sense of humour, endearing blue eyes, charming smile, and love for serenading us all with his harmonica.
A bright light in our lives went out the day we said goodbye to the heart of our family. His will to live was unprecedented; it was often said, he was the strongest man in Florence because of his deep love and admiration for us all and the will to be with us for as long as God would allow. His greatest legacy will be his “beautiful family,” as he often referred to us.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the New Dawn Homecare staff for their wonderful care over the past year, the VON staff, and the Palliative Care Team at the Northside General Hospital. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held at J.M. Jobes Funeral Home, 635 Main Street, Sydney Mines, on Wednesday, July 6, from 2-4 & 7-9 pm. A Mass of celebration will take place at Holy Family Church, Sydney, Mines, on Thursday, July 7 at 11:00 am, with Fr. Fabian Ihunegbo officiating. A reception will be held at the Florence Legion following the Mass. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in memory to the Florence Volunteer Fire Department or a charity of your choice. Words of comfort and love can be forwarded to the family at www.jmjobesfuneralhome.com.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of William Irwin Ding MacDonald May 17 1935 June 29 2022 (age 87)..
Death notice for the town of: Sydney-Mines, Province: Nova Scotia